This document discusses the social and historical context surrounding J.B. Priestley's play An Inspector Calls. It explains that understanding this context is important for comprehending the play. Some key events from the time period are listed, along with a prediction activity and questions about how these events may have influenced Priestley's thinking and compelled him to write the play. Students are asked to consider what historical event had the biggest impact on Priestley and why he chose to set the play in 1912.

1. Social and Historical Context
and Predictions
LO: To understand the social and historical context of the play

2. Predictions
Look at the cover of the book and
describe the person on it in no more than
150 words. You may include the following
points.
1. What is he/she thinking? How does
he/she feel?
2. Is he/she holding anything in his/her
hands? If yes, what is it? Why is
he/she holding it? If no, why are her
hands in a position like that?
3. How old is he/she? What does he/she
do for a living?
4. What might have just happened to
him/her and what will happen to
him/her afterwards?

3. Prediction
An Inspector Calls

4. Task
•Each person has a year, event or
description. Under each heading,
match these events up to the
correct year and description.
•Copy the table down on your
sheets of paper

5. How did these events affect Priestley’s
thinking?
• Look at the dates of these events
• Think about the politics during that time

6. Paragraph
•Using what you know, why do you think that
Priestley was compelled to write An Inspector
Calls, and set it in 1912?

7. Plenary
•What event do you think impacted Priestley the
most?
• Write this on your post-it note, and stick it on
the board